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First F-35 stealth fighter arrives at Misawa base

Jan 27 (NHK) - An F-35 stealth fighter has arrived at an airbase in Misawa in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan. It is the first of 10 F-35s that will be deployed at the base.

The aircraft flew into the Misawa Air Base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force on Friday morning from the Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.

The pilot was given flowers in a welcome ceremony attended by about 400 people, including Commander Kenichi Samejima.

The commander said in a speech that the F-35 stealth fighters will greatly contribute to ensuring peace and safety amid the increasingly severe security environment.

He added that the personnel at the base will swiftly and steadily establish a system for operating the aircraft.

Japan's Defense Ministry plans to deploy 9 more F-35s at Misawa in the fiscal year that starts in April. They are among 42 F-35s that will be deployed in Japan as the country's next-generation mainstay fighter.

The F-35 was jointly developed by the United States and 8 other countries. Its stealth capabilities make it difficult to detect by radar.

The ministry plans to equip the aircraft with Norwegian-made long-range Joint Strike Missiles. With a range of 500 kilometers, the missiles will enable Japan to target enemy bases.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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